Rosie started jogging around the castle. She looked back, feeling sorry for her three maids running around in totally unsupportive clothes.
How could they run along with their skirts touching the ground and the collars up to their necks? It was excruciatingly painful in Rosie's eyes.
Aslan discussed serious matters when he heard Rosie's voice, encouraging her three maids who were running breathlessly behind her.
He sat against the window. So, when he turned to the side, he could see the princess. Rosie's clothes were wet with sweat. Aslan frowned at the three maids panting behind the princess, while the girl was still full of energy.
"We still hadn't been able to identify the leader of the revolutionary army that had recently appeared. From some of the interrogations we had carried out, they chose to keep their mouth shut. They were very loyal, so we couldn't get any information."
Aslan silently listened to Howland's words, who was sitting in his work chair. Meanwhile, his eyes were still glued to the beautiful figure who was jogging in place, waiting for her maids to follow her with stumbling steps.
"But the goal was very clear. From their attack on the border yesterday, they denied the existence of a world government. In the king's gathering, which will be held in two months, we will discuss the peaceful cooperation plan between kingdoms."
Aslan just nodded.
"Come on… it's only been one round!" Rosie exclaimed, which sounded faintly in Aslan's ears.
Rosie sat in her place because she felt like she had waited too long. The girl looked up, and the two of them stared into each other's eyes from afar. Neither Rosie nor Aslan wanted to break those gazes.
The two of them gave each other cold stares. Aslan couldn't think of anything, not even Howland's explanation could be heard. His head felt so empty. It felt like he was daydreaming right now.
Aslan frowned when Rosie deliberately tossed her clothes in an improper manner, causing her maids to panic and rush towards her.
It was only when Rosie smiled that Aslan turned back to the front, finding Howland was still talking about the movement of the revolutionary army that had just been captured this morning.
"How? Do we need to do it?" Howland asked for Aslan's opinion.
Aslan had no idea what Howland was talking about. The last thing he remembered was the purpose of the revolutionary army. After that, there was nothing Aslan could remember other than Rosie running downstairs with her maids.
"Hmm," he replied simply.
***
Rosie started to gasp for breath. She felt that her new body was so weak. Running around the castle three times had already made her tired. In her old body, Rosie could still run three more laps.
Rosie didn't want to be too tired, remembering that tonight the castle would be full of new people invited to Aslan's party. She felt fit right now. Tonight, she would have a party to her heart's content!
Ah, Rosie forgot that the party here might not match the party she had in mind. Instantly, the spirit of having a party disappeared with the gust of wind.
She wanted to clean her body immediately because it was drenched in sweat. However, just as Rosie was about to get up, someone tapped her shoulder lightly. She looked back and found Howland smiling at her.
"How was the exercise? Was it fun?" Rosie looked back again to make sure Aslan wasn't there. And she was grateful that the man she was looking for wasn't behind Howland.
"Hm! It feels like I haven't sweated like this in a long time. This body is so weak, uh-I mean, I want to live a healthier life right now," Rosie corrected her words quickly. Her words would sound strange to Howland.
"You don't feel dizzy or nauseous?" Howland asked, wiping Rosie's sweat off her forehead with his handkerchief.
Rosie shook her head. "Absolutely not."
"Really?"
"Hmm! My body feels very healthy now."
"Ah, then I'm relieved to hear that. I thought you were still my fragile little sister, so I was really worried when you said you wanted to exercise after all this time."
Rosie chuckled, amused at Howland's concern. If the man knew how hard her previous life was, Howland might pass out.
Waking up early to go to work, catching the bus against the pollution in a big city, working from morning to evening, then taking time to practice karate.
"Oh, but by the way… what are you doing here? Just to make sure I'm okay?"
Howland helped his sister to her feet and nodded. "Of course! My sister's health is number one!"
For some reason, Rosie didn't believe Howland's words just now. She told her maids who had almost fainted to go back to their rooms to rest and clean their bodies because she was going to talk to Howland for a while.
"Oh, really? "
"Of course ... oh, by the way, I was told by Aslan the reason he burned the books."
Even though her head was free of all the irritation after the brief exercise, Howland reminded her about it. Rosie was annoyed again.
"Ah, I had guessed it," Rosie replied casually.
"Um… speaking of the books Aslan burned, do you remember the title? I can give it to you when we get back to the palace tomorrow."
Rosie pouted her lips.
"I don't remember. I just remembered the synopsis," she replied dejectedly.
"Oh… how about we both stop by the bookstore when we get home tomorrow? You can ask the shop owner directly and also buy more books if you want."
Rosie's dejected expression instantly turned into a cheerful one. "Really? Really?" she asked as she jumped up and down in front of Howland, making the man laugh at his sister's adorable behavior.
Howland nodded.
"Hm! You can buy as many books as you want!" Howland added, causing Rosie to cheer with joy.
"But... would you like to have lunch with me this afternoon?" Howland asked.
Rosie was moved by Howland's concern. She wanted to hug her brother, but she was still sweating. The girl nodded in agreement at Howland's request.
"Then, see you this afternoon. I had to settle a few more things with Aslan. You can rest so you can enjoy the party tonight," said Howland, telling Rosie to go back to her room.
***
It was time for lunch. Rosie had changed into a beautiful yet stifling dress. She had rested her body while reading a book. The book was still safe and sound. It hadn't been thrown away by Aslan.
Sarah arrived to call Rosie because Howland had been waiting in the dining room. Rosie stared in awe at the castle. There were so many decorations that gave off a more luxurious feel to Montgomery Castle.
In every corner of the hallway and room, there was a white vase filled with colorful flowers. Rosie could see the white colors dominated everything. Aslan seemed really obsessed with white.
Rosie touched one of the white lilies on the table and felt how soft the petals were. The flowers were still very fresh. They were not the plastic flowers that were usually used for a party in the real world.
As she passed the ballroom, Rosie peeked through the open door. The decorations seemed to have been finished, leaving a few maids around to clean up the rest of the decorations.
Rosie was stunned because it was like seeing a ballroom party like in historical romance films that she always watched. The huge chandeliers adorned the ceiling of the ballroom with such beautiful paintings. Rosie went deeper, then looked up to see the cupid painting above her head.
"Your Highness, Prince Howland is waiting," Sarah called softly, trying to remind Rosie of the lunch with Howland.
Rosie immediately followed Sarah. Just as she was about to turn into the dining hall, Sarah swayed her body the other way.
"Huh? Didn't Howland ask me to have lunch there?" Rosie asked in confusion.
"No, Your Highness," Sarah replied.
Sarah led Rosie to a new place. Rosie hadn't been to the east wing of the castle before. She knew this was Aslan's territory, and she also had no reason to visit the east wing either. Thus, Rosie was a little confused as to why Sarah led her to that place.
Sarah opened the door, and there was Howland sitting on the sofa. Rosie stepped inside and looked around the room. The room was medium-sized. However, it felt warm because some furniture was placed close to each other.
She looked to the right where there was a bookshelf full of books with faded coloured leather covers.
Rosie could also see a long, black leather couch adorning the center of the room. Next to it were a desk and a work chair with lots of papers and books piled up.
It looked like the place was Aslan's office, thought Rosie.